Nikki Polowski, 18, of Wappingers Falls, blows bubbles after receiving her diploma during the Orchard View Alternative High School graduation ceremony on Friday in Wappingers Falls. / Ryan Paraggio/for the Poughkeepsie Journal

Orchard View Alternative High School graduate Kristen Nicolucci, 19, of Wappingers Falls, fixes her cap prior to the start of the graduation ceremony on Friday in Wappingers Falls. / Ryan Paraggio/for the Poughkeepsie Journal

The school, a part of the Wappingers Central School District, was created to provide a structured learning environment for students who didn’t thrive in the traditional high school setting, according to the district.

Carole Kuney watched her grandson Daniel Planck-Kuney accept his diploma from Superintendent Marco Pochintesta and school board President Ved Shravah. The grandmother of nine had a front-row seat at the Orchard View school building.

“I can’t see good, so it’s hard to come to these,” Kuney said. “But when a youngster overcomes so much — this is such a special day.”

The school itself overcame challenges, Shravah said. It was decided on Monday the school would stay in the building for at least another year after months of discussion about a possible move.

One graduate was Savannah Flowers, a young mother who spoke out in favor of Orchard View during the budgeting process earlier this year.

The diploma students received was a not a piece of paper but a symbol of success, she said.

“It’s a statement that proves to anyone who ever doubted us. It’s a reminder of our individual strengths and self-perseverance,” Flowers said.